reply to post by D.Wolf
I used to do work for SCDC (South Carolina Department of Corrections) on their electronic systems (cameras and fence alarms)
Inmates with kitchen knives: not unusual. Who do you think does the food? Staff is in charge, inmates do the cooking. All kitchen ware has to be
accounted for before they can leave the kitchen.
Camera: inmates learn not to mess with them. Take one out, and a first respond team goes in to the cell (or area where the camera is), in riot gear,
and force the inmates on the floor, cuff them, escort them out, and replace the camera. Repeat offense get's you sent to SMU (Special Management
Unit) aka "Lock Up" where you locked down in an even smaller cell, loose good time, etc.
Fence: doesn't need to be sturdy. That's razor wire on top, not barb wire. Razor wire is much, much worse, I've been cut with it and it slices you
open, right through your clothes. The fence itself is alarmed. Part way up is a conduit of wire that is special. The wire reacts to vibrations on the
chain length fence (IE someone trying to climb or cut through). There are several boxes located all long the fence, representing sections. Vibrate the
fence and the alarms go off back at control, who then radio the rover (usually 1 or 2 guards armed with shot guns in a pick up truck, who drive around
the facility's outer area), who quickly drives to the area the alarm went off.
Can inmates still escape? Sure, all though it is a lot harder in today's world than it used to be. Most places have what we call "Controlled
Movement", meaning the inmates are normally kept locked down in their cell blocks except for certain times (meal times, or rec time out in the yard).
And of course in today's world it can be very hard to stay out once you've escaped.
Impossible? No. Very hard to do? Yes.

